ABYMU 's Response to statement by S

[padauk@xxxxxxxxxx]

ABYMU's Response to Statement by SPDC Military Clique on 8-1-98 , the
Usurper of State Power

1. The All-Burma Young Monks Union (ABYMU) was formed officially in 1988,
at a certain place in Burma, with 4 objectives. All true Sanghas (Samuti
Sanghas) and lay monks who had attained 17 years of age were allowed to
join the Union. This officially formed ABYMU may withdraw its official
existence only after a thorough negotiation with a legitimate government
elected by the people. 
2. In the Constitution of the ABYMU, it is explicitly provided that the
ABYMU shall, within the context of non-violence pursuant to the discipline
of the Holy Buddhist Order,  steadfastly stand on the side of the people,
in the form of alliance (mentor-sponsor relationship)  with other forces
struggling for democracy and human rights. 
3. The ABYMU shall never engage in acts of manipulation of religion for the
purpose of politics as done by some organizations, in the State structure,
- building pagodas  building monasteries and bearing the funeral hearse of
renowned Buddhist monks - conspicuously. It is merely standing on the side
of justice as required by the current situation in the country. To stand on
the side of justice is one of the  instructions of the Holy Buddhist Order. 
4. (a) On 21-3-97, in Kung Hein area of Shan State, troops from SLORC/SPDC
Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) No. 524 took away and executed Buddhist monk
U Keikti, aged 50 years, with an ordained service of 30 years.
(b) On 21-3-97, in Kung Hein area of Shan State, troops from SLORC/SPDC
Light        Infantry Battalion (LIB) No. 524 took away and executed
Buddhist monk U Aindaka, aged 38 years, with an ordained service of 18 years.
(c) On 8-8-97, in Sittway area of Arakan State, troops from military
intelligence unit 10 arrested Buddhist monk U Zayyathami, aged 45 years,
with an ordained service of 25 years, and executed him on 10-8-97.
After receiving information of the executions, the ABYMU undertook lengthy
inquiries before making a confirmation on December 1997.
5. The ABYMU assume that a person with some reason could easily accept the
facts in its statement affirming that 2254 Buddhist monasteries had been
destroyed and 3630 Sanghas from the monasteries had been driven out by
force, in the Shan State, Karenni State, Karen State, Mon State and
Tanessarim Division. The statement was issued after the ABYMU had confirmed
the facts by making extensive inquiries in the fields, interviewing the
victims, holding discussions with the ethnic organizations and receiving
the views of the refugee committees. 
6. If this clarification is not adequate, the ABYMU is still willing to
make further clarifications, with details, as necessary.

Central Leading Body
All-Burma Young Monks Organization
January 9, 1998


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